The word “Nantahala” is Cherokee for “Land of the Noonday Sun,” so named for the gorge through which the Nantahala River runs. The gorge is reportedly so lush that sunlight only touches the ground in the middle of the day. The Nantahala National Forest is located in the southwestern corner of North Carolina and covers 531,000 acres of protected forest and wilderness along the Appalachian mountain range, making it the largest of the four national forests in the state of North Carolina. Nantahala National Forest is located in the southwestern portion of North Carolina and spans multiple counties.
The Nantahala National Forest was created in 1920 as a part of the 1911 Weeks Act, which appropriated federal government funds for the acquisition and maintenance of natural resources. The Weeks Act appropriated $9 million to purchase 6 million acres of land in the eastern United States.
The Nantahala National Forest currently covers thousands of acres in parts of Macon, Jackson, Transylvania, Graham, and Swain counties and is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Nantahala National Forest has a number of treasured national attractions such as the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, one of the largest stands of old-growth trees in the Eastern U.S. Hikers, campers, climbers, bicyclists, and even horse-back riders can enjoy sections of the Appalachian Trail as well as the Bartram Trail in Nantahala National Forest.
The Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest has trees that are estimated to be over 400 years old.
The Nantahala River, which flows through the middle of the park, is also a major draw to boaters, rafters, swimmers, and fishers.
The Nantahala River is used for all kinds of recreation.
The famous Blue Ridge Parkway also runs through Nantahala National Forest, allowing passersby a glimpse into the beautiful park.
Nantahala History
The word “Nantahala” is Cherokee for “Land of the Noonday Sun,” so named for the gorge through which the Nantahala River runs. The gorge is reportedly so lush that sunlight only touches the ground in the middle of the day. The Nantahala National Forest is located in the southwestern corner of North Carolina and covers 531,000 acres of protected forest and wilderness along the Appalachian mountain range, making it the largest of the four national forests in the state of North Carolina.
Nantahala National Forest is located in the southwestern portion of North Carolina and spans multiple counties.
The Nantahala National Forest was created in 1920 as a part of the 1911 Weeks Act, which appropriated federal government funds for the acquisition and maintenance of natural resources.
The Weeks Act appropriated $9 million to purchase 6 million acres of land in the eastern United States.
The Nantahala National Forest currently covers thousands of acres in parts of Macon, Jackson, Transylvania, Graham, and Swain counties and is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Nantahala National Forest has a number of treasured national attractions such as the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, one of the largest stands of old-growth trees in the Eastern U.S. Hikers, campers, climbers, bicyclists, and even horse-back riders can enjoy sections of the Appalachian Trail as well as the Bartram Trail in Nantahala National Forest.
The Nantahala River, which flows through the middle of the park, is also a major draw to boaters, rafters, swimmers, and fishers.
The famous Blue Ridge Parkway also runs through Nantahala National Forest, allowing passersby a glimpse into the beautiful park.
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